8 Best Electric Cars Under $20k
While there are no brand-new electric cars available for under $20,000, there are some great used options for buyers looking to keep the purchase price low.
Written by Jacqulyn Graber
Reviewed by Jessa Claeys
Unfortunately, there are no brand-new all-electric vehicles on the market with a price tag under $20,000. However, the 2018 Nissan Leaf, the 2016 Chevrolet Volt, and the 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid are three affordable used options.
Purchasing an all-electric or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicle is a great way to significantly lower your fuel costs over time. Unfortunately, electric vehicle (EV) technology is still quite new, which means that brand-new EVs and PHEVs tend to come with higher-than-average price tags. Shopping for used EVs is a great way to access the technology at a lower cost, and there are plenty of older models that offer the same great perks as new cars.
Here to discuss eight of the best used all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles out there is
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8 best electric cars under $20,000
Even when shopping used, you’ll only find one all-electric car for less than $20,000. However, there are some wonderful plug-in hybrid options out there, too! Here are our favorites.
2018 Nissan Leaf (Estimated starting price: $16,300)
Range: 150 miles
Charge time (household outlet): 26 hours
Charge time (240-volt unit): 7 hours
Charge time (rapid charger): 40 minutes
The
Nissan Leaf
is one of the few all-electric vehicles that you’re likely to find for under $20,000. The good news is that you can get a model from as recently as 2018 for a price point in the teens! And while it won’t offer the range or luxury of a Tesla
, it’s still good enough for the average driver.The original Leaf was the first widely available EV in 2011 and was redesigned for 2018. This Leaf looks nothing like its predecessor. What was once overtly dorky is now cool and compact, boasting exterior styling that’s more like a typical Nissan car.
Pros:
- Impressive torque
- Great steering feedback
- Attractive interior
- Fun to drive
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer a very long range
- Cheap-feeling materials
2016 Chevrolet Volt (Estimated starting price: $12,500)
Range: 420 miles
Charge time (household outlet): 13 hours
Charge time (240-volt unit): 4.5 hours
Charge time (rapid charger): N/A
Plug-in hybrids offer the best of both worlds, and the 2016
Chevrolet Volt
can drive up to 53 miles on electricity alone—and then another 367 miles with the aid of its gasoline-powered onboard generator. Your fuel costs will be lower than a gas-powered vehicle, and you’ll enjoy fast charging and more flexibility than a true EV. Like the 2018 Leaf, the 2016 Chevy Volt has been fully redesigned. Not to be confused with the Chevrolet Bolt EV, highlights include an improved hybrid drive system, updated styling, new driver information and infotainment controls, and five-passenger capacity.
Pros:
- Nice driving manners
- Comfy interior
- Peppy power
Cons:
- Cramped back seat
- Lacks basic amenities like power front seats
2018 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid (Estimated starting price: $18,000)
Range: 590 miles
Charge time (household outlet): 8.5 hours
Charge time (240-volt unit): 2.3 hours
Charge time (rapid charger): N/A
The 2018
Hyundai Ioniq
is offered with pure electric, hybrid, and—new for the 2018 model year—plug-in hybrid powertrains. The PHEV will likely be valued at just under $20,000, and the standard hybrid will be even cheaper.The Ioniq plug-in adopts a larger 8.9-kWh lithium-ion battery pack in place of the hybrid’s 1.6-kWh battery pack, as well as a beefier electric motor good for 60 horses versus the hybrid’s 43.
Pros:
- Incredibly stylish
- Long list of standard features
- Great warranty
Cons:
- While the overall range is impressive, the all-electric range is less so
- Low amounts of horsepower
2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid (Estimated starting price: $21,000)
Range: 560 miles
Charge time (household outlet): Less than 9 hours
Charge time (240-volt unit): 2.25 hours
Charge time (rapid charger): N/A
We bet you weren’t expecting any SUVs to be on this list! Like the Hyundai Ioniq, the
Kia Niro
is offered with pure electric, plug-in hybrid, and standard hybrid drivetrains. The PHEV version of this subcompact crossover was released for the 2018 model year, and while—today—some used models will cost you as much as $27,435, others are valued at as little as $14,633. Families will love this stylish, four-door hatchback for its impressive list of safety and convenience features. Unfortunately, the Niro won’t quite match the miles-per-gallon rating of pricier, more iconic EVs and hybrids like the Toyota Prius.
Pros:
- Fun to drive
- Versatile and family-friendly
- High-quality interior
Cons:
- Not available in all-wheel drive
- Doesn’t have the longest range when running on an electric battery alone
2018 Fiat 500e (Estimated starting price: $12,000)
Range: 84 miles
Charge time (household outlet): 24 hours
Charge time (240-volt outlet): 4 hours
Charge time (rapid charger): N/A
The best thing about the 2018
Fiat 500e
? It offers better performance and reliability than its gas-powered counterpart! Its 24-kWh battery may seem pedestrian, but it’s not. Unlike the Ford Focus Electric, VW e-Golf, and Nissan Leaf, the 500e has a liquid-cooled batteryUnfortunately, the 500e’s range isn’t as impressive as other used hybrids and EVs, but it does benefit from an expressive design and excellent handling characteristics, and its short wheelbase and narrow track make it ideal for city dwellers who have trouble finding roomy parking spaces.
Pros:
- Nimble handling
- Easy to park
- More affordable than other all-electric options
Cons:
- Miniscule back seat
- Missing the latest driver safety aids like adaptive cruise control
- Only available in California and Oregon
- Short driving range
2017 BMW i3 94Ah (Estimated starting price: $18,000)
Range: 114 miles
Charge time (household outlet): 28 hours
Charge time (240-volt outlet): 5 hours
Charge time (rapid charger): Under 1 hour
Can you believe that a luxury vehicle made the list?! Okay, so the
BMW i3
isn’t exactly a Tesla Model S
, but it’s still engineered by an iconic German luxury brand. The rear-wheel drive i3 is somehow both cheeky and posh, with coach doors, futuristic lines, and an interior and exterior that still hold up incredibly well eight years after its inception in the U.S. market. Another perk of the 2017 i3 is its liquid-cooled battery pack. The 94Ah i3 has a total battery capacity of 33.2 kWh, but its usable number is 27.2 kWh. This means that the i3 has a relatively large 18% buffer, enhancing long-term battery health.
Pros:
- Well-crafted interior
- Uniquely architected exterior
- More miles of range compared to older models
Cons:
- Reverse-hinged doors can be difficult to use in cramped parking lots
- Small cargo area
2017 Volkswagen e-Golf (Estimated starting price: $18,000)
Range: 125 miles
Charge time (household outlet): 26 hours
Charge time (240-volt outlet): Less than 6 hours
Charge time (rapid charger): 30 minutes
The
Volkswagen e-Golf
was the carmaker’s first mass-produced EV—but it was only sold new in specific states. An electric version of the regular Golf hatchback, this compact car looks and drives much more like a gas-powered vehicle than many of its contenders. A new lithium-ion battery for 2017 yields a higher energy capacity and, therefore, a significant bump in driving range, from 83 miles to 125 miles. Plus, an upgraded electric motor increases horsepower and torque.
Pros:
- Quiet ride
- Lots of cargo space
- Premium interior materials
Cons:
- Lacks exciting luxury features
- Mediocre electric range
- Only available in certain states
2017 Chevrolet Bolt (Estimated starting price: $17,000)
Range: 238 miles
Charge time (household outlet): 35 hours
Charge time (240-volt outlet): Under 10 hours
Charge time (rapid charger): Under 2 hours
The
Chevy Bolt
holds the spot as one of the first truly affordable all-electric vehicles on the market. Arguably, it’s the vehicle that made EVs appealing to the masses. Sales began in California before the hatchback was released nationwide.Its popularity speaks for itself. The Bolt has been listed as the top-selling all-electric vehicle in California, even ahead of the iconic Tesla Model S.
Pros:
- Impressive all-electric range
- Battery is hidden in the floor, so it doesn’t take up room in the cabin
- Easy smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
Cons:
- Seats feel small and uncomfortable
- Battery takes a while to charge
- Several recalls because of the battery catching on fire
How to find cheap insurance for your electric car
If you want an electric vehicle without the hefty price tag that typically accompanies one, you can save yourself quite a bit of cash by shopping used. Another great money-saving tip? Shop for
car insurance
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What is the cheapest electric car?
While the price you pay for a used vehicle will depend on a wide variety of factors—such as the vehicle’s mileage, condition, and even your geographic location—we suggest taking a look at the 2018 Fiat 500e if you’re looking for the cheapest option out there.
What is the most reliable used electric vehicle?
According to Consumer Reports, the Kia Niro Electric tops the charts in terms of reliability. Based on the impressive performance of older models, we expect the 2022 Niro Electric will be much more reliable than the average new electric car.
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